Ayurveda looks for food and drugs as having similar effects on the human body. Food and drugs are composed of the same five elements that are found in nature. Therefore, the components of both can be categorized to these five elements. Thus, even if these drugs are continued after the body has regained its normal state, they can provide immunity against disease by strengthening the system in much the same way as a tonic does.

Symptomatic treatment is almost alien to Ayurvedic medicine.  The primary aim of treatment is to break the process of pathogenesis. It is only when the symptoms become excessively painful that the Ayurvedic physician resorts to symptomatic treatment.

Chronic disease, ailments of the mind and the body will naturally involve a lengthy process of therapy accompanied by a fairly strict adherence to diet and regimen. Recovery will necessarily be a slow and gradual process.

As we have already emphasized, even before the diagnosis is formed and the treatment of a patient is begun, it is essential to identify the patient's individual constitution.

Ayurveda advocates a bifid approach to the treatment of a disease.

1) Shodhana -- In Shodhana the excessive doshas accumulated in the body are thrown out by cleansing or Panchkarma. 

2) Shamana -- In Shamana the dosha imbalance is corrected by digesting the accumulated vitiated dosha. It is usually done in mild vitiation of Doshas or after shodhana so as to stop the recurrence of disease.

During and after Shamana the patient is kept on a specific diet so as to stop the recurrence of imbalance of Doshas.